Don't Sugar Me Wires the Field in Feature

Don’t Sugar Me recorded her first Open-level win in the featured $24,000 Fillies and Mares Open pace at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday, June 29 with trainer, driver Terry Cullipher at the lines. In gate to wire fashion, the four-year-old mare equaled her lifetime best with a 1:53.1 performance.

Leaving from post five, Cullipher sent Don’t Sugar Me to the front as the gate folded and remained uncontested through first half fractions of :27.1 and :58.1. Forever Showin Off and Charlie Conrad benefitted from a pocket trip as Ed Hensley and Keep On Flirtin followed intently in third. Carmen O, the other entry from the Cullipher barn, was along the rail in fourth. After the half, the field began to tighten and Don Eash had Hoponit aimed at the leader first over with Do Me Honor and Pete Wrenn in tow. As the battle began to unfold around the three-quarter mark in 1:26.2, Don’t Sugar Me saved her best for last as she began to sprint away from the field. With a final quarter clocking in :26.4, Don’t Sugar Me cruised to a one and a quarter length victory over Do Me Honor who rallied late in the lane. Hoponit and Eash survived a long first over journey to round out the tri-fecta. As the public’s second choice, Don’t Sugar Me returned $9.60 to her backers.

Sired by Dontgetinmyway, Don’t Sugar Me is nearing the $200,000 mark in career earnings. With the lion’s share of the purse the brown mare now sports a bankroll over $190,000 for owner Gary Hayes. Don’t Sugar Me scored her sixth win in 14 outings this season.

Don’t Sugar Me will return for another shot at the title Friday, July 6. The $24,000 Fillies and Mares Open is slated as the 11th race on the 12-race program. Don’t Sugar Me will start from nine and is the morning line second choice at 3-1 with driver Terry Cullipher. Ultimate Velocity, a winner of the Fillies and Mares Open two weeks ago, will start from post five and is 5-2 morning line choice with Jason Dillander at the lines. Red S, Forever Showin Off, and McFlirty, all with Open wins to their credit, also join the field of nine. The Balmoral invader, Case Solved, ships to Indiana after posting an impressive win in a conditioned Race at Balmoral Park and will start from the rail spot for trainer Brett Wilfong.